Just when it looked like Knicks fans were headed for another chapter in the “can’t quite finish” story, the Knicks delivered the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.
The Knicks were down by 29 points in game four of the NBA Finals against the Spurs. The young Spurs team looked faster, sharper, and completely in control. Madison Square Garden was in disbelief. I was ready to go to bed at halftime. I kept dozing off. The Knicks were down by 29 points, and the fans were stunned silent. After getting yelled at in a group text for being sleepy, I had to fight to stay awake and I’m so glad I did.
Horrible Start
The game started with Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) picking up two fouls in the first 62 seconds! That’s horrible! The Spurs’ 19-point lead after the first quarter was the largest by any road team in NBA Finals history. Their 27-point halftime lead was the largest halftime lead by a road team in Finals history as well.
Shaq: “When you were down 29 did any doubt creep in your mind?”
Jalen Brunson: “I thought about it…you’re allowed to think about the worst possible scenario––but you gotta go out there and do something about it”
The Spurs Meltdown
The Spurs scored 76 first-half points and only 30 points in the second half. That’s tied for the largest decrease in any playoff game in the shot clock era, per the Elias Sports Bureau. The Spurs know how to take the lead, but they can’t hold the lead. It’s a reflection of a young team who played bad basketball. They just kept trying to shoot 3’s as soon as they crossed half court. The Spurs missed 14 of 17 threes in the second half. Add in all the horrible passes and the meltdown just kept getting worse while MSG kept getting louder.
That’s what happens when you have the dirtiest, most arrogant, immature player who is a 7”4 baby as your leader. Wemby can kick rocks. I hope he hits his head on every door frame he has to dunk under.
Second Half
The second half started and the Spurs stretched their lead to 29 early in the third quarter. Then, four different Knicks scored during a 13-0 run to close the scoring gap. As the Spurs started scoring again, so did Jalen Brunson. The Knicks entered the fourth quarter down by 15 points, and now the life is coming back to MSG. The Knicks have been down by double digits before and pulled off the comebacks.
Magic started to happen when reserve guard Jose Alvarado, who is from Brooklyn was playing with Jalen Brunson for the first time all postseason. Alvarado scored five clutch points in a row, when San Antonio was trying to boost their lead back to double digits. Brunson got hot, scored 36 points, and had his best all-around game of the finals.
O-m-G
Then OG Anunoby delivered what may go down as one of the greatest sequences in Knicks history. OG is known for his knockdown jumpers, but in game four, OG made the play that will make him known as a New York legend.
In the final 10 seconds, OG made two incredible plays. First was a block and then the hustle putback from Brunson’s deep 3 that bounced off the rim. Anunoby sprinted nearly the length of the floor from where he had inbounded the ball. Somehow, he arrived at exactly the right place at exactly the right time and tipped the ball in with 1.2 seconds remaining.
One Win Away
The Knicks didn’t just win Game 4 107-106. They stole the Spurs’ confidence, seized control of the series, and authored one of the most unforgettable nights Madison Square Garden has ever witnessed. I’m so glad I stayed awake to witness it. They are now one win away from winning the NBA Championship. One. Win. Away!
Game five is Saturday in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
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